American Missionary Association, (continued 2)

3. But there is another point of quite as much interest to us. I refer to the inspirations that have been kindled in the hearts of Christians in Africa’s behalf; the efforts that have been put forth since our Mission was established for reclaiming Africa. Here let me refer briefly to parallel Providences. There are three of these which are very striking: (1) The revelations to us of the fertility, resources and people of the vast interior of Central Africa; (2) The abolition of American slavery; (3) The eagerness of people of African descent for education at the South, coupled with a great desire to emigrate to Africa (It is probable that not less than half a million black people in America have signified their desire to go to Africa within the last twelve months). To this must be added the desire manifested by Christians of our own race, everywhere to follow up these providences with missionary endeavors. These have been put forth by the English, Scotch, German and American; skirting the borders of Equatorial Africa, both on the East and West Coast; resulting in the conversion of thousands of heathen during the past twenty-five years. Since the close of our war, and more especially during the past five years, great enthusiasm has been manifested for what are termed Central African Missions—missions in the lake regions upon the highlands of the interior.

The Scotch and English have planted their stations on the Nyassa Lake. The London Missionary Society had, at last reports, a corps of missions, heading towards the Tanganyika, while the Church Missionary Society has occupied Mtesa’s kingdom, in Uganda, on the shores of the Victoria Nyanza, and the Baptists of Great Britain are searching for a station on the Livingstone River. The fertile country thus being entered, extends for four thousand miles from east to west, in some latitudes, and three thousand from north to south, and probably contains a hundred million people.

In the providence of God, the American Missionary Association is on that ground. It is the one missionary society of our denomination that sustains missions there. We believe we have an inheritance in that country, and a great destiny in connection with its redemption. We have been true to the negro from the beginning, seeking to do right in his behalf, without fear or favor. I think it is not too much to assert that heaven believes in this Association; that God created it, and will use it for great things in Africa. Good men have believed in it. Mr. Avery gave to it property valued at $100,000, for African Missions. Others, we trust, will follow his example; for we suspect the negro was right when his attentive ear caught the accents which he wove into his song:

We are truly seeing the Christian rising—as “the trumpet sounds it in our souls”—that God has come to reclaim Africa.

4. The fourth point of interest relates to what we have been trying to do about it. The story of the departure of our colored missionaries has been sufficiently told. The result of their first year’s efforts has been spread before you. Let me give you, in their own language, their convictions as to the best missions for Africa. Mr. A. E. White—a Hampton student, now at Avery Station—writes: “You would like to know what I think about colored missionaries. My firm belief is that they can do more than any other missionaries under the sun. The natives look upon a white person as unnatural, and think he is above them in every way, and that God made him so. They also think it is of no use for them to try to do the things they see the white man do. But, on the other hand, when they see a colored man do anything, they think if he can do it, they can do it themselves. Do not think I say this because I am a colored man. I say it because I know it is true.”

Mr. Albert Miller, who went out from the Fisk University, writes: “If Africa is to be evangelized, as I believe it will be, it must be done through the children of the summer and sunny clime, educated and Christianized in the South. You in America can’t see this as plainly as one who mingles with this people, and has all chances to investigate in regard to this matter.”

It gives us pleasure to state that the success of our colored band beyond the great waters, warrants as strong expressions as those I have quoted. A letter from Rev. Floyd Snelson, dated West Africa, September 13th, contains the following: “The 24th of this month will make one year since we left New York. Result of work, three stations are opened, nearly three hundred children have been enrolled in the day schools, and about the same number, old and young, in Sabbath-schools. From among these numbers, twenty-four have given their hearts to Christ and united with the Church, and are endeavoring to lead Christian lives. The object of the missionary is to go forward with the work into the interior. There are many places which might be opened to the saving of souls, if the money and men were furnished.”

I repeat, brethren, we had an early call to our African field. God has spanned His bow of light and promise over it. He has kindled inspirations in our hearts concerning it. He has prospered the freedmen who have gone forth for its redemption.

Surely we have a right to believe “the great Admiral, who knows the way,” has taken our ship in tow, and, as the Jubilees sing,

Shall we remember our birthright, and enter more fully upon our inheritance? Shall we go up, with the other great missionary societies, to possess this land? Shall we return over the sea, with songs and rejoicing, those sable sons and daughters, whose fathers came with chains and groans to our American shore?

Notwithstanding our great work at the South, I verily believe this to be our greatest, and that the mighty Ruler of all events will crown our efforts in this direction with magnificent success. Therefore, Mr. President, I most heartily second this Report.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

We have given, as usual, in the Missionary next following our Annual Meeting, a large part of our increased space to the Report of the Executive Committee, the minutes of the meeting, and the addresses made on that occasion. Here we need only to add a few general observations on the special features of the three days at Taunton.

First of all, the attendance was gratifying both as to numbers and quality. The earlier sessions drew together more people than are ordinarily present at the start; and, despite the two rainy days which followed, the numbers increased to the end. The evening meetings were crowded, and, had the weather been fine, would have doubtless overflowed, so as to have made the opening of a second church necessary. It was a representative gathering, too, of ministers, well known for their active interest in all good works, and of substantial laymen from Massachusetts and the coasts beyond. We should be glad if, more and more, the men who contribute either largely or statedly to our work, would come to these assemblies, and question the methods of our work and of our administration of their gifts. The executive officers of the Association desire to maintain relations of perfect frankness with those whose trustees they are, are glad to answer all inquiries, and to submit to all intelligent criticism, to meet with the special committees when requested, and to give all possible information;—sure that, as in this case, such detailed knowledge of their ways and works will only furnish a better basis for the confidence, so largely given, of the churches and the friends of the lowly.

We need not repeat here what is fully set forth in the preceding pages—the reports of the year’s work and of its indorsement by the constituency of the Association. Rather we will confine ourselves to the things which do not there appear.

The sermon, on the first evening, by Rev. S. E. Herrick, D. D., was full of grand thoughts, clothed in words of forceful grace, from the text: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.”—1. Peter, ii, 9.

Three thoughts were deduced from those words set forth, and with ample illustration: (1) God has a people in the world, not marked by geographical or race lines, and yet one people and one nation, who are such through their relation to God by Jesus Christ; (2) This people has undergone a marvellous transformation from darkness into His light; (3) It is intrusted with a solemn priestly function, a sacrificial work, for the redemption of men. The special priestly work of God’s people in this land was set forth, and the historic fact that, having failed to fulfill it, they were made to suffer on the altar of sacrifice, and that unless they should meet the obligations of their office now, they must again be called to an account.

Five papers of great value were read during the meetings. These have been printed in full in the supplement to the Boston Traveller, and largely circulated among our friends.

1. “The Present Time all-important in the salvation of our Country,” by Rev. Stacy Fowler, D.D. The paper showed how this was a critical time in our history as a nation; the great need, a revival of “the American spirit,” especially in these three respects—the nation’s faith in God, the purity of the family, and the elevation of the lowly. The Church must do the work. Incidentally, a strong argument was made to show the deteriorating tendency of the amalgamation of races, sustained by the testimony of Prof. Lewis Agassiz.

2. “The Denominational Polity of the American Missionary Association,” by Rev. G. L. Walker, D. D. The real question is, shall we only seek to Christianize, or shall we also try to Congregationalize the Freedmen? The paper discussed the nature of Congregationalism, and the prevalent characteristics of the colored race; and, from the comparison, drew conclusions not very favorable to the prospects of denominational success, yet by no means discrediting what has already been accomplished in that direction, or discouraging further efforts.

3. “America’s Opportunity the World’s Salvation,” by Rev. C. L. Woodworth. The end of Christian work is to spread the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. This needs human activities, directed with strategic wisdom and sanctified energy. Each nation has its peculiar work: England to send forth Christian and civilizing agencies through her widely scattered colonies; America to Christianize the peoples from other lands who come to her shores; and to send back, through them, the Gospel of Christian civilization to their benighted countrymen.

4. “A Revival of Righteousness toward the Despised Races of America,” by Rev. Ebenezer Cutler, D. D. That they are despised is the main indictment which the paper details at length. This unrighteousness prejudices our Christian work, restrains the heartiness of many, even, who are engaged in it, and hinders the blessing of God on our labors. This revival must begin by reflection, leading to repentance; must go on to the repeal of unjust and the execution of just laws, to a righteous public sentiment, and such atonement as can be made for past wrongs.

5. “The Work of Half a Generation among the Freedmen,” by Secretary Strieby, in which the progress since emancipation was traced, supported by much important testimony, in material, educational and religious prosperity.

We have given these brief analyses only to serve as an index to the contents of these papers, and not at all as a substitute for their perusal. Still less would it be possible to make good to our readers the misfortune of their absence from this inspiring gathering. We are confident that we shall feel the impulse of it through the year.

We are close upon the threshold of a new year. The churches, many of them, at this time, are making up their schedules of benevolence for 1879. Do not forget, we pray you, to give a good place to the Association, whose work is among the least of these, the Master’s brethren, in our own land. Do not forget, you who apportion your weekly contributions among the various fields, to give its due share, as God shall give you light, to this peculiar work which presses its claims by so many sacred pleas, and on the timely cultivation of which depend so largely the permanence and purity of the spring itself. We would not have you neglect Judea, and Samaria, nor even the uttermost parts of the earth, but only beseech you, earnestly and tearfully, Don’t forget Jerusalem.

Several thousand dollars of the money pledged for the reduction of our debt, is made conditional upon our paying up the full amount by the end of this year. We beg our friends to bear this fact in mind, as a spur to make their thoughts quicker, and their hands obey their generous promptings without delay. We cannot afford to lose this offered help, and you cannot afford to have us. The impetus given at the Annual Meeting to this debt-destroying work is not abated; our friends are reminding us of their interest daily; some of those who were present at the meeting are pressing it, on their own account, in the States from which they came. How soon will you enable us to make our proclamation of emancipation from this bondage?

Our readers will see that we have endeavored, in this number of the Missionary, to present them with the doings and the sayings of the Annual Meeting not already put into print and circulation. The valuable and stirring addresses by Rev. Messrs. Atwood, Heywood and Pike, we have been able to get in form already. Other equally thoughtful and forcible addresses, though reported, have not yet come to us in such shape that we can use them immediately. What you find here is what you did not find in the Supplement to the Traveller. We beg you, then, to “read, mark, learn and inwardly digest.”

A new cartridge, No. 5, of the series of pamphlets begun last year, is ready for distribution, and contains Secretary Strieby’s review of half a generation of work among the Freedmen. As a collation of facts and testimony, we commend it as furnishing to thoughtful men the means of forming their own opinions on the success of past labors, and on the hopefulness and the duty of pressing on the good work already begun patiently to the desired end.

Three Communion Sets are needed for as many churches near Talladega, Ala. Churches at the North can make good use of their old ones if they are about to replace them with new.

We invite attention to the call of Mr. Connett, in another column, for means to erect cheap cottages for the accommodation of students. The small sum needed for each cottage will enable many of our readers to accomplish a definite and useful object, who cannot undertake larger enterprises. We indorse most heartily the appeal.

Miss Rebecca Tyler Bacon, daughter of Rev. Leonard Bacon, D.D., died at New Haven, Ct., October 26th, 1878. She was a woman of rare gifts, of great intelligence, and of extraordinary ability. She had the true missionary spirit in a self-sacrificing devotion for the welfare of others, especially of the unfortunate and the debased.

The Normal Institute, at Hampton, Va., was much indebted to her wise management for its successful organization, and the impress of her mind and spirit will remain while that institution stands. She was a power for good in her native city, where her counsel and direction were given to many public and private charities, with untiring devotion.

Her faithful and tender ministry as the eldest daughter and sister, amid trials and sorrow, are best appreciated by those whom she cheered, and comforted, and strengthened. Thousands in our churches will deeply sympathize with her honored and venerable father in this bereavement.

ITEMS FROM SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

Wilmington, N. C.—Religious interest is reported. Two young men have been received into the church. Others seem very thoughtful. “Our little flock is a working one.”

McLeansville, N. C.—The Lord’s Supper was administered, October 13th, to about 100 communicants. Eleven united with the church on profession, ten of whom received baptism.

Atlanta, Ga.—The University is fuller than ever before at this time of the year. The girls’ hall is crowded, and more are coming. The church, under Mr. Ashley’s care, is flourishing in numbers and activity. Several conversions have occurred during the summer. Fifteen persons stand propounded for membership. Storrs School, which has been for several years under the care of the city Board of Education, is opened this fall again, under the care of the A. M. A., and is full to the limit of its capacity.

Savannah, Ga.—Mr. Koons has been transferred from the Emerson Institute, at Mobile, to the Beach Institute, at Savannah, which has re-opened in its new building, with over 200 pupils.

Mobile, Ala.—Rev. D. L. Hickok goes from Talladega to Mobile, to take charge both of the church and of Emerson Institute.

Anniston, Ala.—A large number of conversions are reported at this place. Thirty-four members were received into the church Sept. 22d. Twenty-six were baptized.

Montgomery, Ala.—Swayne School re-opened October 1st. It has enrolled the first week, 334 pupils. The teachers from the North reached their posts just in time, for the city was quarantined against Louisville the day after their arrival.

Talladega, Ala.—There have been four or five conversions in the last few weeks in this church, and continued meetings in all the mission churches about here with a marked degree of interest.

Helena, Texas.—As the result of protracted meetings, following the meeting of the Association, ten persons were received into the church.

Tougaloo, Miss.—The University will re-open on Thanksgiving Day.

New Orleans, La.—On account of the terrible plague of the Summer, Straight University will not be opened until the first Monday in December.

Nashville, Tenn.—At Fisk University the yellow fever deterred the students from a prompt attendance at the beginning of the term. The school is increasing weekly.

Chattanooga, Tenn.—The Central South Conference met here November 7th.